Internal-combustion pump and compressor



W. F. VERNON. INTERNAL COMBUSTION PUMP AND COMPRESSOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, I914. RENEWED JAN. 17. I920.

1 350, 1 25 Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

. WITNESSES: IN VEN TOR. a Y

@ ATTORNEY.

UNITED rarnur OFFICE.

WILFRED FOULSTONE VERNON, OF N'ALTON-ON-TIZEHILL, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO HUMPHREY GAS PUMP COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PUMP AND COMPRESSOR.

Application filed September 4, 1914, Serial No. 860,338.

To aZZ "whom it may concern:

e it known that I, WiLrnnn FoULsToNn Vnnnoiv, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in lValton-onthe-Hill, Staliord, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Internal-Combustion Pumps and Compressors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in internal combustion apparatus for raising or forcing liquids or compressing gases, of the kind in which the kinetic energy of a column of liquid assists the compression of the combustible charges.

I have found by experiment that a pump using liquid combustible injected into the combustion chamber, more particularly a heavy oil, will work successfully when the fuel is sprayed directly into the combustion chamber to mix with the air therein.

For satisfactory working in this method, it is necessary for the chamber head to be kept at a temperature above 100 (1., and various expedients may be employed for this end. For instance, a piston or float is useful to prevent splashing and consequent cooling of the portion of the chamber which ordinarily would not be invaded by liquid. Such splashing also would cool the contained gases and hinder the vaporization of the fuel. A Q-stroke cycle is preferable to a i-stroke cycle, both on account of the higher compression pressure obtained, and because of the greater proportion of working stropes.

Referring to the drawings,.which show merely by way of example, suitable embodiments of my invention- Figure 1 is a vertical section of a power chamber embodying my invention.

Fig. 2. is a vertical section of the upper portion of a power chamber showing modifications.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the upper portion of a power chamber showing further modification.

Fig. t is a detail in elevation at right angles to the view shown in Fig. 3.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to Fig. 1, the combustion chamber 1 communicates with a play pipe through a right angle bend 2. A float 3, together with a seating 4, forms a valve between combustion chamber and play pipe,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

Renewed January 17, 1920. Serial No. 352,234.

the seating 4 being mounted on springs Inlet valves (5 for fresh liquid are provided below the float valve, and valves 7 allow air to flow into the combustion chamber 1 when the pressure therein falls below that of the atmosphere. The valves 7 are closed by light springs as shown.

The exhaust valve 8 is situated in a pocket in the top of the combustion chamber and is closed by the action of the float 3 on its upward journey. The float impinges on the plate 9 turning on a pivot 10 which extends to the outside of the combustion chamber and is connected by a link 11 with the stem 12 of the exhaust valve.

For injecting the fuel into the combustion chamber a punip 13 is provided, which is connected by a pipe 14 with the combustion chamber 1. The piston rod 15 of the lower cylinder extends through the cylinder cover and works on a plunger in a cylinder 16 connected by a pipe 17 containing a valve 18 with the liquid fuel supply and through a pipe 19 containing a valve 20 with the sprayer 21. The sprayer is preferably situated opposite the pocket in which the valve 8 is situated, so that the distance over which the sprayed fuel travels is as long as possible. The cylinder head is provided with a small dome 21 from which depends a spiral spring 22. The dome is insulated by an asbestos washer 23 from the combustion chamber head, and is provided with a jacket 24 for reducing loss of heat.

The pump works in the following manner: Assuming that a fully compressed combustible charge is present in the combustion chamber head, ignition occurs either by reason of the temperature of compression or of the surrounding walls or at the starting of the pump, by electric ignition by means of the spark plug 29 in the ordinary manner. That is to say, the spark plug 9 is connected with an electrical circuit having a source of electric energy such as a storage battery, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In starting the pump the circuit is closed by a suitable switch. The liquid in the combustion chamber is forced down and out along the play pipe, the valves 7 opening when the pressure in the combustion chamber has fallen below atmospheric pressure, and finally the float 3 rests on its seating. The air entering through valves 7 remains largely in the lower part of the cylinder. Fresh liquid enters the play pipe through the valves 6. The piston of the pump 13 descends under the action of a spring to its lowestlevel, drawing up fresh fuel through non-return valve 18 and pipe 17. l Vhen the liquid in the play pipe returns it raises the float from its set 4. It expels the burnt gases through valve 8- this being situated in the upper part of the cylinderuntil the float comes into contact with the plate 9, and forcing this over to the right, closes the exhaust valve 8. The pressure of the air in the combustion chamber now begins to rise, and the piston 25 being forced upward expels the oil fuel'previously drawn in, through valve 20 and sprayer 21 in the combustion chamber wall into the combustion chamber head, where it vaporizes and afterward ignites or is ignited. The cycle is then repeated. By suitably loading the spring of piston 25 the injection of the fuel may be delayed until very late in the compression stroke.

For satisfactory working, it is believed to be advisable to have-a long path for the sprayed fuel so that it does not strike the walls too soon. Experiments further show that self-ignition can be obtained when using petrol, paraffin or heavy oil.

Fig. 2 shows the head of a combustion chamber which may be used in order to obtain a comparatively long path for the fuel sprayed in. The dome of the chamber is bulged out considerably at the part opposite the sprayer 21.

The special advantage of this arrangement of exhaust valv'e'is that greater safety in working is obtai ned because the exhaust valve cannot open while the ball is in the seating.

upper part of the cylinder.

The fuel injection pump may be combined with the exhaust valve as indicated in Fig. 3. The exhaust valve 8 is raised by lever and linkwork or any suitable means not shown, until it enters the cylindrical portion of its At this moment further escape of burnt gas (if any) and air from the combustion chamber is prevented, and valve stem 12 comes into contact with plunger 26. The subsequent rise of pressure in the combustion chamber and the momentum of the parts cause the delivery stroke of plunger 26 whic'hfor'ces through valve 19 and pipe 20 into the combustion chamber head the fuel previously taken in through valve 18 and pipe '17. A spring 27 tends to return the plunger '26 to the initial position, and thereby causes the taking in of fresh fuel.

Having thus described the nature of the said invention and the best means I know 'of carrying the same into practical effect, I

1.. In combination with a play pipe for the with the play pipe, means forspraying liquid fuel into the combustion chamber at the end of the compression stroke comprising a pump operated to inject fuel by the direct compression pressure of the instroke of the liquid column. 7

2. In combination with a play pipe-for the reciprocation of a liquid column of sufiicient bulk and path of travel to acquire useful momentum, a combustion chamber connected with the play pipe, and means for spraying liquid fuel directly into the combustion chamber, comprising a piunp operated by the momentum pressure of the liquid column moving toward the chamber.

3. The combination of a combustion chamber, a play pipe for liquid connected therewith, a float and seating therefor forming a valve between the combustion chamber and play pipe, said valve float arranged and operating to separate at all times the liquid from the charge in the combustion chamber, an exhaust valve near the top of the combustion chamber, means for automatically opening said valve, and a link lever mechanism operated by said float after it leaves its valve seat, upon the return or com )ression stroke of the lit uid for closin the exhaust valve. I

l. The combination of a combustion chamber, a play pipe for liquid connected therewith, a float and a seating therefor forming a valve between the combustion chamber and play pipe, said'valve float arranged and operating to separate at all times the liquid from the charge" in the combustion chamber, an exhaust valve near the top of the combustion chamber, means for automatically opening said valve, and a link lever mechanism operated by said float after it leaves its valve seat, upon the return or compression stroke of the liquid, for closing the exhaust valve, andmeans for utilizing the direct pressure of the air or gas in the combustion chamber, after the closing of the exhaust valve, for forcing fuel into said combustion chamber. V

5. In combination with a play pipe fortlie reciprocation'of a liquid column of sufiicient bulk and path of travel to acquire ueful momentum, a combustion chamber connected with the play pipe, means for spraying liquid fuel into thecombustion chamber comprising a pump operated by the compression pressure due to the instroke of the liquid column, said combustion chamber also provided with air intake valves adapted'to open after the expansion of the charge;

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILFRED FOULS'IONE VERNON, \Vitnesses SYDNEY Gnonen DAVIES, SAMUEL WRIGHT. 

